Police Neutralise Suspected Cultist, Arrest 27 Others in Edo Raid
The Edo State Police Command has neutralised a suspected cultist and arrested 27 others during a late-night security operation that disrupted an alleged cult initiation ceremony in the state.
The command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Eno Ikoedem, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday in Benin.
According to Ikoedem, the operation followed “credible intelligence” indicating that members of the Neo Black Axe Movement of Nigeria, also known as Black Axe, had converged in a community about 18 kilometres from Ekpoma for an initiation exercise.
She said the raid was carried out at about 10:00 p.m. on Saturday at Urohi village in Esan-West Local Government Area.
Ikoedem explained that a combined team of police tactical operatives, local vigilantes and hunters conducted the operation under the leadership of the Divisional Police Officer of Ekpoma Division, SP Nelson Igbinoba.
She stated that the operatives came under gunfire while attempting to effect arrests.
“One of the cultists opened fire on the police and, in the ensuing gun duel, the suspect was neutralised,” she said.
The police spokesperson disclosed that several items were recovered at the scene, including firearms, dangerous weapons, vehicles, mobile phones and substances suspected to be hemp.
She further said that the Commissioner of Police in Edo State, Monday Agbonika, ordered the immediate transfer of all arrested suspects to the State Criminal Investigations Department for thorough investigation and prosecution.
“The commissioner of police commended the operatives for their swift response and professionalism, and reassured members of the public of the command’s unwavering commitment to combating cultism and all forms of criminality across the state,” Ikoedem said.
She urged residents to continue supporting the police with timely and credible information, assuring that the command would sustain its offensive against cult-related violence and other threats to public safety in Edo State.
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